Partitioning of chicken egg white proteins in polyelectrolyte/salt aqueous two‐phase systems composed of polyethyleneoxide–maleic acid copolymer and potassium phosphate

Abstract

Abstract Aqueous two‐phase systems were formed from solutions of a polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneoxide–maleic acid copolymer, and potassium phosphate. The properties of such aqueous two‐phase systems were highly dependent on pH. This was reflected in the partition behavior of three chicken egg white proteins: lysozyme, conalbumin and ovalbumin. Separability of these three proteins was improved by the use of the polyelectrolyte, in comparison with when uncharged polyethylene glycol (poly(1,2‐dihydroxyethane)) was used as a phase‐forming polymer. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry